It isn't election season without
a November surprise. But this
puts an Altoona City councilman
up for reelection against a local
firefighters union.
The controversy stems from
accusations that city firefighters
committed arsons.
Altoona Fire Fighters IAFF Local
299 posted on Facebook late Tuesday
afternoon that Councilman David
Butterbaugh accuses Altoona's
bravest of burning vacant buildings."
"In fact he used the word, torching
in group text messages when
referring to these men who so
valiantly defend the City of
Altoona, It's despicable that a
person seeking elected office
categorizes the firefighters who
take an oath to give up their
lives if called upon, criminals."
The letter, signed by Patrick Miller
of IAFF Local 299 and Art Martynuska
president of Pennsylvania Professional
Fire Fighters Assocation, encouraged
Butterbaugh to reconsider his reelection bid.
At a news conference Friday, Pat Miller
said that he received the message
anonimously in May and a portion of
the text message reads, "They didn't
like it but they stopped torching
vacant buildings."
Miller said that he, five executive
directors and Butterbuagh had a meeting
October 14th and that Butterbaugh admitted
to sending the text message and that he
showed no remorse.
Miller said if they had this information
in the previous election cycle, they
would have made it public then.
The councilman responded on Friday.
Butterbaugh, in a statement said the
allegations reek of political sabotage.
"Several years ago, we were entering
Act 47 and IAFF was vehemently
against it."
Butterbaugh added that there was a
string of fires: "We didn't know who
was setting those but did discuss
various possibilities confidentially."
Butterbaugh said he met with the
executive board of the union to
discuss the concerns.